Reinventing Thompson Center, Chicago
Ignite - Result Story
A beautiful idea or evocative image may stir our imagination more than an object, a building, or even an entire city. Yet, it is the materiality that constitutes the great power of architecture, its ability to turn a physical building into a truly transcendental experience.
Let’s think of how to improve buildings that we already have rather than, as often happens, raze them to start new ones from scratch. And when it comes to dealing with recent buildings, yet unprotected by landmark status, there is a lot of freedom as far as how they could be transformed.
One of the most iconic buildings in Chicago, James R. Thompson Center is a case in point. Illinois state government’s decision to sell it for new development puts this 35-year-old gem of late-20th century architecture in great danger.
It is quite clear that the Center’s original ambition to create a truly grand civic space was a mismatch with its limited function from the outset. Occupied primarily by bureaucrats’ offices the building was not accessible to the public after working hours and on weekends. The government’s vision was never idealistic enough and, as a result, was destined to fail due to the building’s high maintenance cost, exacerbated by years of neglect.
The competition participants are asked to develop a new vision for the Thompson center, as a creative hub in the center of Chicago. The existing glass-and-steel structure comprises 1.2 million sq. Ft. Of space and in order to make the new complex feasible, proposed schemes should plan for at least 2.5 million sq. Ft. Of space. Submissions should include a short statement with a breakup of program outlines, plans, key sections, and renderings.
Endorsement: In 2015 we proposed to repurpose the Thompson Center with the addition of a tall hotel-condo tower to meet the market to come. I propose the doors to come down, so the atrium becomes a public place with upgraded retail and restaurants. The new space no longer belongs to the state of Illinois; it belongs to the people of Chicago. The original vision of Governor James R. Thompson and the architect to make the building a symbol for the openness and transparency of the state government, an active urban center in the city, and a lively urban and public place has not been upheld by the administrations that followed. The building has not been maintained or repaired, the retail lacks style and attraction. The best way to save the building is to improve it by making it the most exciting place in the city, with around-the-clock activities. One important aspect of this project would be to enhance the idea of public space. The ground floor would be opened up at the plaza level to make the atrium a true public space. The architectural history is full of examples where adaptive reuse and repurposing has brought new life to similar structures. It is the only way this building will survive and become a landmark for the 21st century.
Helmut Jahn, Architect,
Thomson Centre, Chicago
The Curator: Vladimir Belogolovsky, Curator, Curatorial Project, New York, USA
The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows:
Winka Dubbeldam, Founder & Partner, Archi-Tectonics NYC LLC, New York, United States
Chris Bosse, Director, LAVA Laboratory for Visionary Architecture, Australia
DONG Gong, Founder / Design Principal, Vector Architects, Beijing, China
John Ronan FAIA, Founding Principal, John Ronan Architects, United States
Some of the Best of competition projects received are:
Winning Project: Rotunda Carve
By: Sang Hoon Lee
Rotunda Atria Perspective
Rotunda Evolution
Description: Reinventing Thompson Center, a Dynamic Center of New Vertical Community.
Critique by the curator: Striking, intriguing, and memorable, the Rotunda Carve proposal successfully balances on retaining the identity of the original Thomson Center and expanding its spirit upwards, manifesting in a strong iconic form that serves a great variety of new functions. The project is a smart and imaginative solution for future urban regeneration and growth. What I think could still be improved here is how the building stops at the sky. Perhaps another halo observatory extension or similar could add to the tower’s now uninteresting top, which from many directions appears to be just like any other building in any city. I would also suggest adding glass elevators either within the carved part or on one of the outer flat facades; these moving elements would hint at their connection to the original Center and contribute greatly to animating the complex. Still, the result is very impressive and appealing; it could be just a bit more daring.
People Choice: Museum of Black Futures
By: Debo Adeniyi
View of Museum of Black Futures
Description: Reinterpreting The James R. Thompson Center as The DuSable Museum Contemporary Annex.
Editor’s Choice: Solarpunk: Chicago acts for a healthy climate
By: Misak Terzibasiyan, Danai Dafnouli & Amir Feizinezhadgheshlaghi
Front cover image of Solarpunk: Chicago acts for a healthy climate
Description: This proposal, is a vision of the future, in which city, culture, and nature can coexist. And the urban landscape can expand unrestricted on the vertical dimension. This vision comes to find a new art movement called, Solarpunk.
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Editor’s Choice: Ignite, Reinventing Thompson Center, Chicago
By: Darryl Pratte
Building section of Ignite, Reinventing Thompson Center, Chicago
Description: Helmut Jahn's work at the Thompson Center creates a fantastical world of color, texture, form, bathed in sunlight. This project attempts to preserve this unique space while adding two new towers to the site. hopefully preserving Jahn's colorful constructivist magic.
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Editor’s Choice: Incremental City
By: Yiwei Qian, Austin Ng, Yulu Wang & Yixiao Wei
A Self-Growing Super Block of Incremental City
Description: A Self-Growing Super Block Incremental Method of Construction Vertical Gardens and Public Space All-encompassing Function to Accommodate all the Needs of Vertical Living
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Editor’s Choice: Thompson Center ReImagined
By: Tina Thompson & Michael Thompson
Description: The Thompson Center was meant to be a gathering place for all citizens, especially those in Illinois. We need a plan that can refocus the building for that use, without draining Chicago.
Organizer’s Choice: HOW TO REVIVE THE THOMPSON CENTER
By: Michael Charters
Building Section of How To Revive The Thompson Center
Description: The proposed Thompson Center will include a refreshed public plaza leading to a restored, publicly accessible atrium space surrounded by retail, lobbies, and a CTA station. The existing structure will be a campus-style workplace with a new timber residential and hotel tower above.
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